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NetUSB-100iX4 USB SERVER
USER’S MANUAL
2017 May Edition
Titan Electronics Inc.
Web: www.titan.tw
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The computer programs provided with the hardware are supplied under a license.
The software provided should be used only with the NCOM series hardware
designed and manufactured by TITAN Electronics Inc.
Trademarks
TITAN and the logo is a registered trademark of TITAN Electronics Inc. in Taiwan.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server, Windows 7,
Windows 8, Windows 10 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other
trademarks and brands are property of their respective owners.
Copyright
Copyright © TITAN Electronics Inc. 2016. All right reserved. Reproduction of the
manual and software without permission is prohibited.
Disclaimer
TITAN Electronics Inc. provides this document and computer programs “as is” without
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, its
particular purpose. TITAN Electronics Inc. reserves the right to make improvements
and changes to this user manual, or to the products, or the computer programs
described in this manual, at any time.
Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and reliable. However,
TITAN Electronics Inc. assumes no responsibility for its use, or for any infringements
on the rights of third parties that may result from its use.
This product might include unintentional technical or typographical errors. Changes
are periodically made to the information herein to correct such errors, and these
changes are incorporated into new editions of the publication.
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Contents
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 4
FEATURES ....................................................................................................................... 5
SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................. 6
INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................ 7
Step 1 - Connect the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server to your network ........................... 7
Step 2 - Connect the USB server's power supply/Read the LEDs .............................. 8
RUNNING USB SERVER PROGRAM ................................................................................. 9
System Firewall ........................................................................................................ 10
Main Window ........................................................................................................... 12
Status of NetUSB-100iX4 USB Servers and Devices ................................................. 13
ACCESSING A DEVICE ................................................................................................... 15
SERVER CONFIGURATION ............................................................................................ 17
Configuration with Web-based Interface ................................................................ 18
Network Information and Setting ........................................................................ 19
Server Reset ......................................................................................................... 20
Password Change ................................................................................................. 21
Configuration with the Utility .................................................................................. 22
FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................. 24
Featured Functions .................................................................................................. 24
Connect Automatically for Printing ..................................................................... 24
Create Shortcut .................................................................................................... 25
Connect Device when Application Starts ............................................................. 26
Automatically Disconnect USB Device ................................................................. 27
Device Property .................................................................................................... 29
Quit .......................................................................................................................... 31
Options ..................................................................................................................... 32
Language .............................................................................................................. 32
Server Settings ..................................................................................................... 32
Device Settings ..................................................................................................... 33
Search ....................................................................................................................... 34
View ......................................................................................................................... 35
Help .......................................................................................................................... 36
Additional Information ............................................................................................ 37
USB Server Status LEDs ........................................................................................ 37
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Hardware Restore Factory Default Button .......................................................... 37
Hardware Reset Button ....................................................................................... 38
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INTRODUCTION
The NetUSB-100iX4 is a network-enabled USB server for connecting USB devices over
the 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet network running TCP/IP. By adding this USB to
Ethernet server to LAN, you can network-enable USB devices. It breaks the traditional
five-meter USB cabling distance limitation. With this implementation, USB devices
connected to NetUSB-100iX4 can be made available to remote clients over LAN
without a locally attached host PC.
The NetUSB-100iX4 provides a simple and convenient way to extend a USB device over
long distances and allows for sharing that USB device with multiple users over
Ethernet network.
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FEATURES
Extends USB cabling distance beyond five meters
Allows USB devices to be used and shared by client PCs over LAN
Supports wide variety of USB devices
Compatible with USB 2.0 specification and backward compatible with USB 1.1
Connects up to 4 devices using an additional USB Hub (not included)
Provides plug and play and hot-swap functions akin to an on-board USB port
Access and monitor USB devices over a user-friendly application interface
Supports a wide input power range: DC 9V~DC 48V
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SPECIFICATIONS
RJ45 Ethernet to one USB 2.0 port
USB 2.0 high speed ports up to 480Mbps
Full 500mA power provided to USB port
Connects up to 4 devices using an additional USB Hub (not included)
10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet support
Supports IP addressing: static and DHCP
LEDs for system/Ethernet status
Field-upgradeable firmware
Supports “Reset” button for system reset
Supports “Default” button for configuration to default setting
Input power range: DC9V~DC48V
Compatible with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows
2003 Server
Regulatory approvals: FCC Class B (DoC) and CE
RoHS compliant
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INSTALLATION
Note: The default configuration for the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server is DHCP enabled. If
the USB server is not able to get an IP address from a DHCP server, it will use the IP
address 169.254.10.10 and the subnet mask 255.255.0.0.
Do not connect your USB device(s) to the USB server until you have finished installing
the USB server software and hardware!!!
Step 1 - Connect the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server to your network
First connect an Ethernet cable to the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server's Ethernet port.
Once the Ethernet cable is connected, connect the other end of the cable to your
network. This can be a free Ethernet port on your DSL router, Ethernet Hub/Switch, or
an 802.11n router/base station.
If you do not have a network, you can connect the USB server directly to the Ethernet
port on your computer using a crossover cable.
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Step 2 - Connect the USB server's power supply/Read the LEDs
Connect the included power supply to the USB server's power connector.
Once the USB server is powered, the USB server's red “PWR” LED turns ON. After a
few seconds, the yellow “1000M” Ethernet’s status LED and the green “10/100M”
Ethernet’s status LED will flash for an Ethernet status check.
The NetUSB-100iX4 USB server hardware installation is now complete. Please proceed
to the NetUSB-100iX4 utility software installation instructions.
The NetUSB-100iX4 utility setup is an InstallShield based application, which can be
used for installing, uninstalling and upgrading the NetUSB-100iX4 software. To install
the USB server program, please double click the USB server setup file.
Follow the instructions of the wizard to complete the installation process. Once the
installation is complete, the NetUSB-100iX4 utility shortcut is placed on the desktop
as well as in the system tray as shown in the figure below.
Please reboot the system as requested by the installer when the process ends,
otherwise the software might not work properly.
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RUNNING USB SERVER PROGRAM
To start the USB server program, double click the shortcut icon of the USB server on
the desktop.
This will bring up the main window as shown below.
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System Firewall
When you start the program for the first time, your Windows OS will prompt you for
Firewall access. Please make sure you unblock the software or grant it access, otherwise
the program will not work correctly.
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Once you have done this once, the system will remember your setting and will not
prompt you again next time you run the software.
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Main Window
Once you have started up the program and granted it access through the firewall, you
will see the main window.
The main window consists of a Toolbar (File, Options, View and Help), a tree view in
the middle that displays a list of all the servers and devices discovered on the network,
a Search button to get the current status of all USB servers and devices, and a button
that toggles between Open Web Page and Connect Device depending on the node
you select on the tree view. The Open Web Page button toggles to Connect Device
when a device is highlighted.
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Status of NetUSB-100iX4 USB Servers and Devices
The tree view also tells you the status of all the NetUSB-100iX4 USB servers and
devices that are discovered on the network. An inaccessible USB server will not show
up on the list. It is either disconnected from the network, powered off or suffering
from other technical difficulties.
A device might be in one of the following states, and there are different things you can
do with it in each of the states. A specific icon represents each status.
Device Free
A device with the status “Device Free” is unoccupied and ready to be connected.
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Connected
When you are connected to a device, a green icon appears to indicate the
establishment of the connection.
Occupied by Another User
This icon indicates another user on your network occupies the device and you cannot
connect to that device at the moment.
Device on Different Segment
This icon indicates that the server’s IP address is on a different network segment from
your PC. You cannot connect to a device attached to such server. Please check your
network settings. However, you can still change its network settings.
Unsupported Device
NetUSB-100iX4 USB server does not support some devices. A stop sign icon as shown
will identify such device. Of course, connecting to an unsupported device is not
allowed.
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ACCESSING A DEVICE
To connect to a USB device, please select it on the tree view and click on “Connect
Device” button or double-click on it. This process might take a few seconds up to a
minute, depending on the complexity of the device. Upon successfully connecting to
the device, you can operate a connected USB device as if it were connected directly
to your PC’s USB port.
If you select a connected device on the UI, you can see that the “Connect Device”
button is changed to “Disconnect Device”:
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Clicking on this button releases the selected device for other users. Once the icon turns
back into “Connect Device”, the device has been disconnected and other users will be
able to connect to it.
This operation is similar to unplugging a USB device from your PC’s USB port.
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SERVER CONFIGURATION
You can configure the settings of the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server via the web-based UI.
Select the target USB server on the tree view and click on the “Open Web Page”
button. Or, you can right-click of server icon to bring up the web-based configuration
utility interface.
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Configuration with Web-based Interface
Your default web browser will pop up and take you into the web-based interface of
the USB server.
This is the main page showing the status of the USB server. You can see the important
information about the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server and the device(s) connected to it.
The four links at the left-hand side take you to different pages with other information
about USB server or functions you can perform. Clicking on “Device Status” brings you
back to this main page.
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Network Information and Setting
This page displays the current network setting of the USB server. It provides links to
the pages where you can perform special actions. You can change the network setting
according to your need. If you would like to give this USB server a static IP, select
“Disable” in “DHCP Setting” to disable the DHCP option. Once you are done, click on
the “Submit” button and reboot the server.
NOTE: A server with busy device(s) connected cannot be configured. This is to prevent
interruption of any on-going tasks.
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Server Reset
Click on the “Submit” button with the correct password entered and the USB server
will reboot. If no password has been set, simply click on “Submit” button to perform
this function. Password is disabled by default.
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Password Change
To change the password, you must first enter the current password. Enter the new
password twice for confirmation. Click on “Submit” to set the new password. If you
are setting the password for the first time, leave the password field empty.
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Configuration with the Utility
Another way to configure the server is via the configuration window of USB server. To
bring up the configuration window, right click on the USB server icon and select
“Setting Server”.
You will be prompted to enter the password if one has been set. If not, you will
immediately see the window below.
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Server Name: This field allows you change the server name.
Use DHCP: When this field is checked, your USB Server acquires its IP address
automatically (DHCP mode). DHCP is enabled by default. Uncheck this field if you want
to enter a static IP address and set it to a fixed IP address manually.
NOTE: You can apply this function to a USB server under a different network segment.
However, some router/switch hub does not allow communication between servers
under different segments. In this case, you won’t be able to see the server on a
different network segment.
Backup Firmware: This function is a fail-safe mechanism for the Update Firmware
function. Just browse to where you want to save the backup file and click on “Save”
to save the file.
Update Firmware: Update firmware with this function. Use “Browse” button to
choose the firmware to update and click on “Open” to start.
Change Password: Simply enter the new password and enter it again for confirmation.
Click on “Submit" to change password.
Reset Server: This button reboots the USB server. Please note that this function will
only work when the server is not connected with any devices. Please disconnect all
USB devices before you reset the server.
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FUNCTIONS
Featured Functions
Connect Automatically for Printing
This is another one of our very convenient functions provided by NetUSB-100iX4.
What this function does is that when you send a printing task to this printer, it detects
this printing task and automatically connects this printer to print out the document.
When the printing task is done, the printer will then be automatically disconnected so
that other users can use it. The user no longer has to manually connect and disconnect
the printer.
NOTE: This function will be enabled for printers or MFPs that has been installed and
used on your PC. For a new printer/MFP, please make sure you have installed it (has
been connected via USB port or via USB server software and worked correctly) on your
PC first.
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Create Shortcut
This function creates a shortcut on your desktop that, when double clicked, starts up
an application and connects a targeted USB device at the same time. This function is
particularly useful when functions of the targeted USB device must work with a
specific application, such as a multi-function printer and the photo/picture scanning
utility. Normally, if you want to scan with a scanner connected to a USB server, you
must first connect the scanner with the USB server software, then run the scanner’s
software and start scanning. When you finish scanning you have to close the scanner’s
software and then disconnect the scanner so that other user can use it.
This shortcut function simplifies these steps into two quick double clicks. Below shows
an example application of this function.
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Connect Device when Application Starts
When enabled, this function automatically connects the target device 15 seconds after
the application starts running. If you are using a USB hub connected to the USB server,
the device connected to that USB hub won’t be automatically connected. The devices
must be connected directly to the USB ports on the USB server. If the USB device is
occupied or offline when the application starts, then it will not be connected.
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Automatically Disconnect USB Device
These functions are designed to prevent the case when one user is connected to a
printer or storage device, but forgot to disconnect when he or she is done with the
device.
When these functions are enabled, you will see this message when you connect a
storage device or a printer:
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When the idle time is up and the device has been disconnected, you get another
notification:
NOTE: This function might not work with certain storage devices such as pen
drives/flash drives. These devices tend to periodically (on a millisecond base)
communicate with the OS even when the user is not reading data from it or writing
data to it. So, it never actually stays idle and will never be automatically disconnected
by this function. External USB HDD type storage devices do not have this problem.
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Device Property
Click on the “Device Properties” to bring up the Device Property window.
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The “Device Property” window displays information of the USB device. If the device
is occupied, it also displays the occupying PC name and the IP of the PC occupying it.
This window provides a quite useful function. Check the “Launch a program when this
device connects” checkbox and provide the path to a program/utility/application
software, then the program/utility/application software will automatically start up
after you connect the device.
This function is particularly useful when the USB device you connect works with an
application, such as scanning utility with a multiple function printer.
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Quit
The Quit function exits the program.
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Options
Language
You can change the utility’s language with this option. The default language is the
same as your system’s language.
Server Settings
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Setting Server: Same function as the “Setting Server” option by right clicking the
server icon menu (see page 22).
Run USB Server When PC Starts Up: This utility automatically runs when your system
starts up.
Open Web Page: Brings up the server’s configuration web pages.
Device Settings
Connect Device and Disconnect Device: Connects and disconnects the selected device.
Request Disconnect Device: When you want to use a device occupied by other user,
you can highlight that device and use this function. This sends a message to the
occupying user with your request. The occupying user would either release the device
or deny the request if she or he is still using the device.
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Search
When you are in need of knowing the status of all the USB servers and USB devices
immediately, use the “Search” button.
Clicking on the “Search” button triggers the program to immediately poll the network
for the status of all the servers and devices. The result will be updated to the tree view.
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View
The tree view in the main window has two display modes: “Servers and Devices” mode
and “Devices Only” mode. The default setting is “Devices Only” mode. You can toggle
between these two display modes with the “View” option on the control menu:
Servers and devices view
Device only view
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Help
“About” option brings up a window with legal and other relative information
displayed:
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Additional Information
USB Server Status LEDs
The LEDs indicate the USB server and device status on the USB server.
“PWR” (Power) LED:
The “PWR” (Power) LED indicates the NetUSB-100iX4 is powered on.
Ethernet Status LEDs:
The green LED in the Ethernet connector indicates a 10Mbit/s or 100Mbit/s Ethernet
is connected.
The yellow LED in the Ethernet connector indicates a 1Gbit/s Ethernet is connected.
The Ethernet LEDs will flash when Ethernet data is transmitted or received.
Note: The older 10 Mbit/s Ethernet is not a good base for USB server support.
Hardware Restore Factory Default Button
The NetUSB-100iX4 USB server supports a hardware factory defaults button to restore
the default settings. You will need to open up the case. When the NetUSB-100iTX is
powered on, press the factory default push button for 5 seconds. It will restore the
default settings for the NetUSB-100iX4 USB server.
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Hardware Reset Button
The NetUSB-100iX4 USB server supports Hardware Reset Button to reset the hardware.
When the Hardware Reset Button is pressed for a short duration, it will reset the
NetUSB-100iX4 USB server system.
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